Stop box for the curb valves of watermains



Dec. 13, 1932. F. c, LE Duc STOP BOX FOR THE CURB VALVES OF WATERMAINS Filed 001'.. 16, 1930 Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED C. LEDUC, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE TO CRANE CO., OF MINNESOTA STOP BOX FOOR THE CURB VALVES OF WATERMAINS Application sied october 1e, 1930. serial 110.489,11?.

`My invent-ion has for its object to provide an improved stop box for the curb stop valves of watermains; and to this end, my invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and' 'and others broken away, showing my improved devices in working position on a watermain;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 3 is a. vertical cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

'Fig 4 is a plan view of the lipped cover retainer detached; and Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. v

rlhe numerals 6 represent sections of the watermain and the numeral 7 represents a curb stop valve of standard construction con- `necting the main sectionsG. Thecasing of this 'stop valve 7 is provided with an upwardly extended nipple which. is screw-threaded on its exterior. The numeral 8 represents a flanged screw-threaded coupling sleeve which is adapted to have screw-threaded engagement with said nipple, as clearly shown in 1 of the drawing. The numerals 9 and 10 represent the sections of a telescoping stop valve box, the numeral'9 being applied to the lower 4or larger section, and the numeral 10 to the upperor smaller section. The said section 9 is flanged at its lower end and adapted to be bolted to the flange of the coupling sleeve 8 by carriage bolts .8a. The carriage bolts have square portions on their stems which engage with square holes in the flange to prevent the bolts from turning when the nuts are applied. At'its upper end, said lower section 9 is provided with a grooved head vin which is seated a cushion treated packing gland 11 for maintaining a tight joint between the said sections 9 and 10l at all times.

At the curb or ground level, the upper section of the extension stop box is provided witha suitable housing composed of several parts. The main -or body portion of this housing is composed of a casting 12 of greater diameter than the diameter of the upper section 1() of the extension box; and this casting is provided with a downwardly extended screw-threaded sleeve-like section 12a which has screw-threaded engagement with the threaded upper end of said box section 10. This depending part 12a of said casting 12 ASSIGNMENTS,

is located eccentrically in respect tothe center of the main casting 12; and because of this fact, there is a portion of the casting 12 which projects laterally beyond the upper endof the box section 10, as clearly shown in Fig. lof the drawing. The casting 12 is providedwith an upwardly extended flange rim 12b which is undercut throughout a small arcto afford an undercut recess 12o, as best shown in Fig. 2, for a purpose which will presently appear. The numeral' 13 represents a cover adapted to fit withinthe top recess of the casting 12 formed by its vertical flange 12b, and which cover 13 is provided, inone arc thereof with a laterally projecting flange 13a adapted to lit within recess 120 in vthe flange 12b, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The floor of the casting 12 is provided, at a point diametrically opposite the undercut recess 120, with a holel having one flaring wall adapted to seat the head portion of a lipped nut 14 which has a corresponding flaring wall and the lip portion of which, marked 14a, is adapted to engage under the adjacent portion'of the said casting 12 when the parts are in working position, asshown in Fig. l ofthe drawing. Between the cover 13 and the floor of casting 12 is located an asbestos I treated gasket 1,5 provided with a hole adapted to pass the stein of a headed bolt 16, the stem of which can be made to engage with the nut 14, and by rotation of the bolt, the lip portion 14a of the nut 14 can; be made to react like a clamping lug against the adjacent portion of the casting 12, and the cover thus be securely fastened to the said casting 12.

rl`hen, when-it is desired to remove the cover 13 it is only necessary to unscrew the boltl 14,

, manently on the nipple of the herein Cil remove the cover and the gasket, and then make the threaded stem of the bolt re-engage the nut 14 and use the bolt head as a handle to lift the nut 14 outward and upward with a slightly tilting action.

Thus, by an extremely simple device, I am able to get a completely waterproof and reliable cover for the upper end of the upper lsDection 1() of the telescoping extension stop Having regard to the flanged coupling sleeve 8, 1t is obvious that it can be left percasing of the stop valve 7, and, nevertheless, the extension stop box be removed, at will, by simply taking out the headed bolts which connect the coupling sleeve with the lower section of the box. The bolts used should be made of bronze to avoid injury by rust. Hitherto, so far as I know the lower end of the lower sections of extension stop boxes were usually screwthreaded on their interior and made to engage the screw-threaded nipple of the valve casing; and, in practice, these parts would become so tight under the effect of rust that it was almost impossible to separate the same without breakage.

The efficiency of my improvements has been demonstrated by actual commercial usage thereof. A large number have already been put into successful use.

It will, of course, be understood,that more' or less ofthe details and the form and proportions of the parts may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention disclosed and claimed.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a stop valve box, of a housing for the upper end of said box, comprising an upwardly flanged head engageable with the top portion of said box, the upwardly extending flange of said head having an undercut recess therein, a cover fitting said head and provided with a lug disposed within the recess of said flange, a lipped nut, the floor of said head having an opening therethrough within which said nut is received, the walls of said floor adjacent said opening supporting said nut, the upper surface of the lip of said nut bearing against a portion of said head and a headed bolt extending through said cover and having screw threaded engagement with said nut for holding said cover in its closed position. 4

2. The structure defined in claim 1, the lip of said nut being diametrically oppositely disposed from the lug of said cover.

3. The combination with a stop valve box, of a housing for the upper end of said box, comprising an upwardly flanged head engageable with the top ortion of' said box, the upwardly extending ange oi said head having'an undercut recess therein, a cover fitting said head and provided with a lug disposed within said recess of said flange, a

lipped nut having upwardly and outwardly Haring walls, the floor of said head having an opening therethrough within which said nut is received, the walls of said floor adjacent said opening being shaped to contact the walls of said nut to support the same, the upper surface of the lip of said nut being adapted to bear against a portion of said head and a headed bolt extending through said cover and having screw threaded engagement with said nut for holding said cover in its closed position.

4. The combination with a stop valve box, of a housing for the upper end of said box, comprising an upwardly flanged head of greater diameter than said box and having a depending portion engageable with the top portion of said box, the flange of said head having an undercut recess therein, a cover fitting within said head and having a lug received within said recess, an under lipped nut having upwardly and outwardly flaring walls, the floor of said head having an opening therethrough shaped to receive and support said nut, the lip of said nut being adapted to engage the floor of said head below the same, and a headed bolt projecting through said cover and having screw threaded engagement with said under lipped nut for holding said cover in its closed position, the lip of said nut being diametrically oppositely disposed from the lug of saidcover.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRED C. LEDUC. 

